Last September, we reviewed the Yarland FV34 CIIISA to find ourselves pleasantly surprised by that small elegant EL84-based tube integrated amplifier. The only negative we could muster in the end was a small residual noise in the left channel noticeable only in combination with true high-sensitivity loudspeakers like our 107dB horns. Roland Breteler represented Yarland Europe at the 2009 High End show in Munich and solicited us for review of the improved version of another Yarland amplifier, the EL34-based FV34 AIII with the SA extension in its name. The christening conventions of this Chinese manufacturer remain confounding as most model names commence with FV34 but no obvious correlation to the employed tubes. FV stands for Fairy Voice but the numbers? In new guise, the FV34AIIISA is equipped with an added EU version tag screwed to the back of the transformer cage to distinguish it from gray-market China-direct imports. Another EU addition in the back is the third RCA input.

Around front, the tube rectifier for the input stage becomes a 5Z3P, the Chinese 5U4G equivalent. After removing the bottom plate, the SA version further shows the origin of those letters with a pair of Clarity Caps SA coupling capacitors. Last but far from least is the fact that the mains transformers are properly wound to comply with the European 230 Volt standard. So the FV34AIIISA is a tweaked specimen of a very reasonably priced tube amp, its specific additions and alterations implemented by Yarland Europe to position the brand more attractively in this fiercely competitive market segment. In this Euro-Sino -- or better, Sino-Euro -- alliance, owner Dai Kai is in charge of all design work and tuning and this really has paid off.

After the Munich High End show, the promised review loaner arrived in proper packing materials with the five tubes handsomely bundled in a separate small jewelry-type box. With 14 kilos on the scale and dimensions of 32 x 17 x 28cm WxHxD, this integrated amplifier is visually compatible with other gear and no challenge for the usual racks. Besides the aforementioned 5Z3P rectifier, the Yarland runs two Chinese 6N3s as drivers and a pair of again Chinese EL34 power tubes. All valves sit in quality ceramic sockets sunken into a stainless steel dress plate with engraved markings for tube placement, in this case V1 through V5. Like most Yarland amplifiers, this model is adorned by a wooden front, giving the otherwise black amplifier a friendly face. With the large input selector and smaller attenuator knob, that face makes this Chinese product look very much like an Italian Unison Research design of timeless elegance.